Jayson Werth is out of the lineup for the sixth straight game as the Nationals look to sweep the Pirates.
Werth hasn't played since last Sunday because of an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.
Michael A. Taylor starts in right field with Bryce Harper in left. Asdrubal Cabrera is also back in the lineup, batting second and playing second base after sitting on Saturday.
Nats right-hander Doug Fister faces Pirates right-hander Edinson Volquez in perhaps the best pitching match-up of the series. Fister is 12-3 with a 2.34 ERA in 17 starts. He leads the rotation in ERA and is tied with Tanner Roark for the team wins lead.
Fister has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts, going 5-1. But in his last four starts, he has allowed two earned runs in 28 1/3 innings for a 0.64 ERA. Volquez is 6-1 with a 2.30 ERA over his last nine starts. Overall this year, he's 10-7 with a 3.67 ERA.
The Nationals are seeking their season-best sixth straight win. They've won five in a row twice.
For the Nationals
CF Denard Span
2B Asdrubal Cabrera
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
RF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Doug Fister
For the Pirates
RF Gregory Polanco
SS Josh Harrison
2B Neil Walker
C Russell Martin
3B Pedro Alvarez
CF Starling Marte
LF Travis Snider
1B Ike Davis
RHP Edinson Volquez
![werth-close-helmet-sidebar.jpg](http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/images/werth-close-helmet-sidebar.jpg)
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